Generally, newbies look to the veterans for guidance and advice, but the newbies have something to contribute as well—a fresh perspective. Meet Dallas Jones, owner of Skiatook, Okla.-based Juicy Tan.
LF: When did you open?
DJ: July 7, 2008. I’ve heard that many salon owners would call that bad timing, but we’ve done pretty well.
LF: (laugh) Yes, most of the salon owners on TanToday.com would have called you crazy for opening during the first month of JASON.
DJ: Hey, I feel like the fact that we opened when we did and have survived is a good sign that we’re going to be a thriving business.
LF: So, why a tanning salon?
DJ: Well, I own a women’s-only gym called Fit For Her, and have a few tanning beds there. When the hair salon next to my gym closed, I thought, ‘Why not open a tanning salon for people who aren’t members of the gym to use?’
LF: I have to ask ... how did you come up with the name of your salon?
DJ: There is a 24-foot-long juice bar in the lobby; thus, the name Juicy Tan. But I can’t take the credit—my girls are the ones who actually came up with the name.
LF: That’s an impressive size for a juice bar. Why did you decide to incorporate it?
DJ: The juice bar is perfect for three reasons: First, if all of our equipment is being used, clients can sit at the bar and have a drink while they wait; second, if clients get hot while tanning they can hit the juice bar for something cool to drink after their session; and third, my fitness clients can pop in for a pre- or post-workout beverage.
LF: Tell us about the juice menu.
DJ: Since fitness is something I’m really focused on, it was important that my juice bar offer a wide variety of healthy drinks—but they had to taste good, too. I did a lot of research before I settled on a type of juice. We have lots of flavors, from the usual fruit smoothies—we have a freezer to store fruit in—to fun concoctions, such as “Candy Bar Craving.” It honestly tastes like you are drinking a Snickers.
LF: Describe the salon’s décor.
DJ: Our décor is primarily comprised of bamboo, tiki grass and wood accents. We also have Wi-Fi, a large sitting area with leather couches and a big, flat-screen television in the lobby. Because of the juice bar, I wanted to make the lobby a place where people could hang out.
LF: How about the tanning rooms?
DJ: Each of our tanning rooms has a theme and a name—Sandy Beaches, Jungle Love, Sunset Bay, Island Getaway and Paradise Cove. All are decorated to reflect their theme. The ladies love it.
